JEDDAH, 18 January 2007 — The Jeddah Municipality has approved a number of projects for the year 2007 at a cost of over SR7 million to develop and reconstruct houses and structures of Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, according to an official at the municipality.
Abdulqader Ameer, deputy mayor for civil development, said this project marks the first phase of a series of development projects that are planned for the area.
The main projects for 2007, at a cost of SR 4.5 million, include preservation for at Al-Bai’ah Roundabout, Bab Makkah, Gold Street, and Al-Nada and Al-Alawi markets. Another project, costing SR300,000, involves identifying infrastructure needs for the historic center.
Minor projects include redesigning signage on historic buildings to match the historical appeal of the area, and an SR1-million-project to add and repair lighting and sidewalks.
Ameer said this year’s budget entails money for conducting feasibility studies and preparing working plans for more projects next year.
He did not outline the city’s strategy for its participation in efforts to get Al-Balad on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s list of World Heritage Sites, but said that these efforts are part of a plan to do the municipality’s part in preserving the city’s historical roots. Deadline for UNESCO submissions are Feb. 1.
Saudi Arabia has expressed its intent to nominate the historic neighborhoods in Jeddah and Riyadh, as well as the ancient city of Madain Saleh, about 400 km north of Madinah, for the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage listings.
